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State Organization Recognized For Utilization Of KSC Facilities By Boeing

Space Florida has been awarded the Economic Development Leadership Award from CoreNet Global, an association representing corporate real estate and workplace professionals, service providers and economic developers. The award submission by Space Florida detailed the utilization of Kennedy Space Center (KSC) facilities by The Boeing Company for manufacture and test of its Crew Space Transportation (CST-100) spacecraft.

The Economic Development Leadership Award recognizes leadership, best practices and innovations in economic development representing national, state, regional and local interests. Space Florida entered the subcategory of “Major Deals and Projects,” which includes recruitment of major companies like The Boeing Company, resulting in new capital investments and/or jobs, expansion of existing companies and demonstrated creativity in structuring win-win transactions/deals.

The entry for this award was made possible by the agreement Boeing made with Space Florida to use Kennedy Space Center’s Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3 (OPF-3) to manufacture, assemble, and test the company’s CST-100 spacecraft, which ultimately will provide NASA with reliable, safe, and affordable transportation to the International Space Station and other destinations in Low Earth Orbit, and create up to 550 local jobs. Space Florida, along with Enterprise Florida and the EDC of Florida’s Space Coast, assisted in bringing a commercial division of Boeing to Kennedy Space Center through aggressive business incentives, a skilled local workforce, and the unique facilities existing at KSC.

Annually, CoreNet Global holds a Global Awards Program consisting of three categories: the Sustainable Leadership Award for Design and Development, the Economic Development Leadership Award, and the Industry Excellence Award. Winners are announced and recognized at the Spring North American Summit.

“Congratulations to Space Florida for receiving recognition on their support of the economic development efforts at Kennedy Space Center,” said John Mulholland, vice president and general manager of Commercial Programs for Boeing Space Exploration. “Our partnership to use the Center’s Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3 and highly skilled local workforce will ensure NASA receives the optimal commercial crew program solution, while simultaneously driving future growth to the area after the space shuttle.”